Elements of Art & Principles of Design

By Becky Ikner Kendall

Elements of Art(building blocks of visual art)

Line, Shape/Form, Color, Value, Texture, Space/Perspective

Line

• Line is the path of a point moving through space.

Shape / Form

• Shape / Form• Shape implies spatial form and is usually

perceived as two-dimensional. Form has depth, length, and width and resides in space. It is perceived as three-dimensional.

Color

Color

Colors all come from the three primaries and black and white. They have three properties – hue, value, and intensity.

Value

• Value refers to relative lightness and darkness and is perceived in terms of varying levels of contrast.

Texture

• Texture refers to the tactile qualities of a surface (actual) or to the visual representation of such surface qualities (implied).

Space / Perspective

• Space refers to the area in which art is organized. Perspective is representing a volume of space or a 3-dimensional object on a flat surface.

Principles of art(use or arrangement of the building blocks of visual art)

•Pattern, Rhythm/Movement, Proportion/Scale, Balance, Unity, Emphasis, Pattern, Repetition

Pattern

• Pattern refers to the repetition or reoccurrence of a design element, exact or varied, which establishes a visual beat.

Rhythm / Movement

Rhythm or movement refers to the suggestion of motion through the use of various elements.

Proportion / Scale

Proportion is the size relationship of parts to a whole and to one another. Scale refers to relating size to a constant, such as a human body.

Balance

• Balance is the impression of equilibrium in a pictorial or sculptural composition. Balance is often referred to as symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

Unity

• Unity is achieved when the components of a work of art are perceived as harmonious, giving the work a sense of completion.

Emphasis

• Emphasis refers to the created center of interest, the place in an artwork where your eye first lands.

Pattern

• Is the repeating of an object or symbol all over the work of art.

Repetition

• Works with pattern to make the work of art seem active. The repetition of elements of design creates unity within the work of art.

Art Elements Flash Cards

http://quizlet.com/105499/art-test-art-elements-flash-cards/

Resources

• http://www.projectarticulate.org/principles.php

• http://quizlet.com/105499/art-test-art-elements-flash-cards/